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Press Release - Tuesday, February 21, 2023 ChicagoGovernor JB Pritzker today announced he will join the Reproductive Freedom Alliance (RFA), a non-partisan group of state Governors focused on working alongside one another to identify best practices for legislative and executive A spokesperson for Pritzker was not immediately available for comment. J.B. Pritzker, which claimed they werent doing enough to protect against COVID-19. Read more here! The IDOC administration, he said, has tried to be responsive. They dont they didnt get that opportunity.. Alan has been fighting for the rights of imprisoned people for decades and has played a key role in recent efforts to free prisoners who are locked in facilities where the coronavirus is spreading like wildfire. It remains to be seen if the law does anything. A stress fracture in his shin. To donate to our work fighting the spread of coronavirus in Illinois' prisons, click here. J.B. Pritzker through executive clemency. It was tough., Down to Business: Helping children learn to communicate empowers whole family, speech-language pathologist says, Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information. J.B. Pritzkers failure to release vulnerable prisoners from overcrowded facilities will cost unnecessary loss of life behind bars and in surrounding communities, say advocates and medical professionals. Advocates for prisoners rights say the states delays in broadening staff testing, releasing thousands of medically vulnerable or other nonviolent prisoners and better enforcing a staff mask mandate have led to widespread infections and more deaths. At the county level, judges, prosecutors, and public defenders are working together to release low-risk pretrial detainees and inmates serving sentences for nonviolent offenses. Echevarria was a Chicago high school student when police arrested him in a 1999 fatal shooting he insists he did not commit. Eddie Caumiant, regional director of the union that includes state corrections employees, said the pandemic has exacerbated staffing shortages and some staff work multiple 16-hour double shifts a week., Linda Savage, 64, a nurse at Vienna Correctional Center in downstate Vienna, died Nov. 6, 2020, of complications related to COVID-19. The increased testing in recent weeks helped drive the most recent jump in positive case numbers, Jeffreys said. The outages made it harder to use the shared bathroom, one of the few places they could wash their hands. They say that earned time credits, which allow for early release for low-level offenders, need to be utilized more in light of the ongoing pandemic and high numbers of Similar to what happened in the outside world, the pandemic seemed under control in Illinois prisons most of the summer. THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS MAINTAINS TWO COMPUTERIZED RECORD SYSTEMS. The settlement reached March 23, 2021 will result in the immediate release of more than 1,000 people from IDOC facilities. Gov. A broken ankle. Already approved by the state Senate, it will go before voters, appearing on Illinois ballot in 2022. COVID-19 cases are ticking back upward across Chicago and the rest of Illinois even as vaccine supply improves, the top doctors from the city and state warned Tuesday. Sedelmaier died March 29 at age 59. IDOC officials in early December began rolling out the testing program in which each worker is tested at least once a month, with the frequency based on the positivity rate of the prisons county. The legislation was named after Joe Coleman, a father, decorated veteran, and active member in his community who had terminal cancer. The federal lawsuit asked the court to issue an emergency order that would have authorized the release of roughly 13,000 state prisoners. This on its face seems like a really nice idea but well be dealing with the negative fallout of an ill thought-out constitutional provision.. House Bill 3665, also known as the Joe Coleman Medical Release Act, reflects the administration's commitment to bringing about true, meaningful reform in the justice system. At a Georgia state House of Representatives hearing on prison conditions in September, a corrections officer called in to testify, interrupting his shift to tell lawmakers how dire conditions had become. State Senate Majority Leader Kimberly Lightford, D-Maywood, and then future state Senate President Don Harmon, D-Oak Park, on the Senate floor last year. It took a prisoners death just for them to pass out a single extra bar of soap, one incarcerated man said. "What we've accomplished is really working with the state to make sure that they're doing everything they can to utilize the avenues available to them, where it's safe and appropriate to do so, to be releasing folks or to transferring them over to home detention, particularly those who are getting out soon anyway," Antholt, who works for Equip for Equality, said in a phone interview Tuesday. (WBEZ has agreed to not identify the prisoner by his real name. The Illinois Department of Corrections and Gov. The Illinois Department of Corrections will identify medically vulnerable and elderly prisoners eligible for early release or electronic home monitoring. In response, the states lawyers said pilot programs were underway, but broadening testing at dozens of facilities was no easy charge and more time was needed to evaluate effectiveness. About 400 staff and 1,700 inmates are considered current cases. Early release from prison is sometimes (Zbigniew Bzdak / Chicago Tribune), Lester Mason was released from Pontiac Correctional Center on Nov. 25 after spending 39 years in prison for armed robbery, his third such offense. The Illinois Department of Corrections will identify medically vulnerable and elderly prisoners eligible for early release or electronic home monitoring. I'm sorry we couldn't afford this mercy to Joe Coleman, but I'm proud that we'll be able to do so for hundreds of other Illinoisans now that this bill is signed into law. He has come back to normal now since coming home with family, but remains thankful. stream He mentored younger men and ran an inmates chapter of the Jaycees charity, as well as other prison programs. Even if they matter to no one but us., Stateville Correctional Center personnel pull carts of hand sanitizer and bars of soap on April 24, 2020. ICJIAs Research Hub is funded through a grant from the Bureau of Justice Statistics, Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice. Also this month, for those prisons where infections are soaring, both workers and inmates are being tested every three days until no new cases are identified for two weeks. Chaney, who was granted a sentence commutation by Gov. Im open to all things that are positive, he said. Bronis' son, Matthew Echevarria, is incarcerated at Menard Correctional Center. Currently, 57 inmates and 90 employees have tested positive for COVID-19, the records show. ", "Joe Coleman, a decorated Vietnam veteran, died of cancer awaiting clemency on a 1981 case where no one was hurt, without the opportunity to say goodbye to his family from his deathbed," said State Senator John Connor (D-Crest Hill). On April 22, 2020, Chicago area civil rights groups came together to write a letter of support for the actions of Illinois Governor Pritzker. This legislation gives the PRB the authority to grant or deny a prisoner early release based on their medical incapacity or terminal illness. Amanda Antholt, one of the attorneys representing the prisoners, said the settlement will likely affect up to 1,200 inmates across Illinois prisons. While this legislation is applicable to all who are currently incarcerated in Illinois, crime victims have the right to submit a victim statement to the PRB for consideration at a medical release hearing. Roger Hertzberg, 76, died of COVID-19 complications Sept. 24 at Robinson Correctional Center. Roger and Susan Hertzberg before being convicted of marijuana trafficking for hauling nearly 50 pounds of pot through Illinois in 2012. Watson Gray, 73, died of complications related to COVID-19 on Nov. 6, 2020, at Dixon Correctional Center. This commitment is at the forefront of our operations, hiring, policies and procedures, and training. More than 1,000 Illinois prisoners to be released under COVID-19 lawsuit settlement, Civil rights attorneys launch legal challenge to free prisoners at risk of coronavirus, Aiming to predict COVID, future pandemics better, CDC opens infectious diseases forecasting center, Unmasked transit: Pritzker ends mask mandates in public transportation, airports, US mask mandate for planes, other travel voided by federal judge in Florida, Rising COVID-19 cases prompt warnings for Illinoisans to remain vigilant and remain up to date on vaccine shots, Dr. Ngozi Ezike to become CEO of Sinai Chicago hospital system, With COVID-19 cases rising, Pritzker still searching for public health chief to succeed Ezike, a hero during this pandemic, Lightfoot is out, Vallas and Johnson are in the April runoff, Chicago police officer dies after exchanging gunfire at close range with suspect in Gage Park, Analysis: How Lightfoot went from political rock star to rock bottom, Patrick Kane leaves Chicago with clear legacy: Blackhawks greatest player of all time, Mayor Lori Lightfoot was in a fight she couldnt have won, Northwestern falls to Penn State in OT for third consecutive loss, Bulls nearly blow 21-point lead but survive against Pistons, Defensive whiz Richard Zoller, high-flying Angelo Ciaravino help Mount Carmel take down Hyde Park. He tested positive for COVID-19 around Labor Day. Camren Wynter hit a three-pointer with 0.7 seconds left to give Penn State a 68-65 victory against Northwestern. State Rep. Marcus Evans, the sponsor of the amendment, said it would not change existing Illinois law but make permanent the rights workers already have. A bill that would create an elected school board in Chicago advanced out of a Senate committee Wednesday on an 11 to 6 vote, clearing the way for that legislation to pass through the full chamber. So Why Have Only 27% Of Workers Taken The Vaccine? "By signing the Joe Coleman Medical Release Act into law, it's my intention to honor Joe Coleman's legacy as a father, as a veteran, as a man who spent his days raising funds for charity from behind bars," said Governor JB Pritzker. Thousands of prison workers have been sickened, including a correctional officer who spent a month on a ventilator fighting COVID-19 in March. J.B. Pritzker and IDOC had dragged their feet on identifying vulnerable prisoners eligible for early release, putting detainees, prison staff and the public at greater risk of severe illness and death. He said the department has responded aggressively to a challenging public health crisis that has yet to yield. His cellmate filed a written grievance seeking an investigation into the staffs handling of the matter. Denice Bronis gets emotional while discussing her fears about her son's health at her home in East Dundee, Dec. 4, 2020. RECORDKEEPING PRACTICES DIFFER IN EACH AREA OF ILLINOIS' PAROLE DISTRICTS. Others are still hoping to be released. State officials say symptomatic inmates are tested and isolated and those with the most serious cases are transferred to hospitals. State Rep. Marcus Evans, Jr., D-Chicago, celebrates passage of a ballot question for a constitutional amendment protecting the right to unionize on the floor of the Illinois House of Representatives Wednesday. (Antonio Perez / Chicago Tribune). We urge officials to promptly release detainees who can be released safely. Herman Townsell, who spent 71/2 years in prison for a 1994 home invasion, kidnapping and sexual assault of a 14-year-old girl and has been in and out of prison HB 3665 not only provides better, more compassionate care to Illinois' seriously ill population, but helps improve the overall prison healthcare system. He cited the rising numbers and urged the department to act quickly because of an anticipated nationwide fall/winter surge, making a priority of prisons with large elderly populations, such as the one in Dixon. COVID-19 hospitalizations at Illinois corrections department leave incarcerated peoples loved ones with questions. The Las Vegas woman and her husband, Roger, were nabbed in Illinois with nearly 50 pounds of pot on their way to Pittsburgh in 2012. Lester Mason, 76, at the home of his nephew in East Peoria on Dec. 14, 2020. As a second wave of the coronavirus pandemic spread rapidly through Illinois prisons this fall, 73-year-old Watson Gray made another plea to be released from Dixon Correctional Center, where new infections were rising. 1. There was so much information that was coming and we had to figure it out for ourselves because there was just no guidance for correctional settings as it relates to this outbreak, he said. UNDER THE LAW EFFECTING THIS CHANGE, PRISON TERMS ARE ESTABLISHED FOR SERIOUS OFFENSES AND FOR SUPERVISED RELEASE TERMS, AND PAROLE NO LONGER EXISTS. Terminally ill incarcerated people would only be eligible if they have family able to care for them and are expected to die within 18 months, OConnor said, adding the new measure would be used when being imprisoned doesnt make a difference anymore., But state Sen. Terri Bryant pointed to cases in the states Department of Corrections where physicians said someone would imminently die over and over and over again.. The Illinois Department of Corrections agreed to use its best efforts to process the awards within the next month. "I am proud that Illinois is leading with compassion and bringing a restorative justice lens to criminal justice policy making. Governor Juliana Stratton. On April 22, 2020, Chicago area civil rights groups came together to write a letter of support for the actions of Illinois Governor Pritzker. The roundhouse remains in use today. The move was criticized by some advocates of prisoners rights because of its deteriorated state, but state officials said repairs were made and public health officials inspected it. But some Illinois House Republicans have criticized his administration for releasing prisoners who committed violent crimes and for not being more transparent. A representative of the Illinois Department of Corrections did not respond to a request for comment about the settlement. To date, 20% of inmates across the $1.6 billion corrections system have tested positive since March. Citing his age and poor health, Grays lawyer made a final plea for mercy dated Nov. 5. Jeffreys said the IDOC follows federal and state public health pandemic guidelines. The Illinois Sentencing Policy Advisory Council estimated that the recidivism rate would cost taxpayers $13 billion over five years if nothing is done to decrease it. (Youngrae Kim / Chicago Tribune), Arkee Chaney, 76, is an artist whose life sentence was commuted to time served in June after 31 years imprisonment for armed robbery. Legislators designed the The Pandemic Had Prisoners' Nerves On Edge. Prisons in Illinois, nationally face staff shortages as correction officers quit amid COVID. "Instead, those who pose no risk to the public should be able to go home, get the care they need and spend their final days with their families. The Illinois Department of Corrections will identify medically vulnerable and elderly prisoners eligible for early release or electronic home monitoring. Mayor poses question to casino opponents: Do you want your taxes raised? She described a frantic several days just calling everybody at the prison, back and forth, in circles, basically. Relatives also called a nearby hospital, she said, but inmates at the hospital are listed as John Does, which added to the initial confusion. More than 1,000 prisoners in Illinois are set to be released after a lawsuit settlement aimed at protecting medically vulnerable prisoners from COVID-19. The standoff between Chicago police and Mayor Lori Lightfoot over the citys COVID-19 vaccine mandate once again hoisted Chicago onto the national stage, seemingly pitting the individual rights of law enforcement officers against the health of communities theyre charged with protecting. In emailed responses to Tribune questions, Ryburn said he was not tested after Bourbon died but he did not get sick. The lawsuit was one of two filed in the early days of the pandemic alleging that Gov. A public statement on Governor Pritzkers vaccine mandate for prison staff, COVID-19 vaccines should be mandatory for all Illinois prison employees, Chicago legal advocacy groups use education campaigns to encourage vaccination among incarcerated individuals, State Cites Low Vaccination Rate Among Prison Workers In Mental Health Litigation, Vast majority of state prison workers havent taken the vaccine. On April 17th, he commuted the sentences of 7 people in Ohio state prisons. "This bill creates policy that honors people's humanity while at the same time prioritizing public safety," said Lt. They work tremendously hard under really difficult circumstances, Caumiant said. J.B. Pritzker arent doing enough to protect elderly and medically vulnerable inmates from COVID-19 inside state prison facilities, according to a lawsuit that claims inadequate testing and sanitation supplies have created conditions where the virus can spread like wildfire.. Members of End Illinois Prison Lockdown Coalition rally as they call out Gov. Vaccinating prisoners is good public policy. J.B. Pritzker and Rob Jeffreys, director of the Illinois Department of Corrections, as defendants. Denice Bronis said her son, Matthew Echevarria, tested positive around Labor Day at Menard Correctional Center. Medical furloughs, which Gov. It was dropped near the main entrance of the prison near Joliet by Jennifer Lackey of Northwestern Universitys Prison Education Program. Arkee Chaney shows a painting he made about a childhood memory of his father, at his home in Westchester on Dec. 4, 2020. 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